Lunch-box



3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

(No Model.) v

M.l C. LOUIS.

LUNCH BOX.

No. 375,495. Patented Deel2?. 18.87.

(No Model.) 3 sheets-sheet' 3.

C. LOUIS.

LUNGH BOX. No. 375,495. vPazemted Dec. 27, 1887.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MARTIN C. LOUIS, OF DAYTON, OHIO.

LUNCH-BOX.

'SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 375,495, datedDecember 27, 1887.

Application filed September 20, 1887. Serial No. 250,241.

To aZZ whom it may concern:

y ments in Lunch-Boxes; and I do hereby declare the following to be afull, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as willenable' others skilledin the art to which it apper- 1 tains to make anduse the same.

My invention relates to lunch-boxes, and

contemplates certain improvements in the same which increase its valueas a receptacle and carrler for articles of food and drink.

The object of my invention is to provide a lunch-box so constructed asto carry equally v well 'all kinds of -food prepared for use, to-

gether with the condiments, coffee-or other liquid, and also to providesuch box with an .outside covering, which shall render it neat inappearance and easy to carry.

` In order that my invention may be understood, I have illustrateditinrthe several views of the annexed drawings, and will describe it inthe specification following.

Similar letters of reference will indicate identical parts throughout.

Figure l is a perspective view`H of my improved box and cover. Fig. 2 isa similar view showing the top of the cover raised. Fig. 3 is a planview of the box and receptacle for coffee or other liquid. Fig. 4 is aside elevation of the same. Fig. 5 is a sectional view showingarrangement of compartments. Fig. 6 is an enlarged view-ofvinegar-bottle. Fig. 7 represents the style ofeork or stopper which ispreferably used.

v My device consists, substantially, of four boxesthe main or outsidebox, A, the box A', approximately rectangular, but having its corners aextending inward, and the compartmentboxes B B. kThe box A lits in themain box and is capable of receiving the two boxes B B', the formerresting upon the latter. These latter boxes may be held in position bycontact with the corners a, or fastening devices may be used. Enoughspace is left between the end of box A and that of A to carry the can D,which acts to hold A in place. Other means may be employed to preventthe displacement of A. The boxes B B may be provided with any number ofcompartments, and,

(No model.)

instead of having two boxes, the upper box,

B, may be made deeper and B dispensed with. ln the blank spaces left bythe inwardly-projecting corners a are placed the salt-cellars, spice orpepper boxes, vinegar-bottle, and knife and fork. In the spaces betweenB B and the sides of A may be placed, if desired, other boxes, C, or thespaces themselves may be partitioned off and used to carry articles offood. The receptacles for salt, vinegar, Svc., may be held in place inany desired manner, but preferably by means of two wires, b b', betweenwhich the handle of the stopper is inserted and then turned.

The can D is provided near its top with a small rim or ridge passinground it, for the purpose of holding slightly the Acollar D', attachedrigidly to the box B. The can is lifted simultaneously with B, but isremovable from the collar D. The upper edge of the can is provided witha number of upwardly and inwardly extending projections, d, occurring atregular intervals. The top of the stopper E of the'can is also providedwith a like number of upwardly-extending beveled proj ections,d. Thisstopper or cover is placed on the can and turned until the beveledprojections d engage suitable material, which may be either permanentlyor removably secured to it. This cover is closedV by means of flaps FF', provided with strap and buckle or other fastening device. One of theiaps has attached to its y inner side a looking-glass, F. A pocket maybe provided upon the outside of the cover for handkerchief, napkin, orother article.

By removing the interior boxes from A the latter,with its cover, may beused as a Satchel, and is provided with attachments by means of which itmay be carried over the shoulder.

If desired, the box A 'may be provided with a lid of suitableconstruction, which will also act as a cover for the smaller boxes orcompartments, G. 'Ihe box B may also be provided with a lid.

The can D may be secured to any of the other boxes, and other devicesemployed to connect the boxes and can.

The strap G passes around the under side of the box, as indicated bydotted lines, Fig. l, and is provided witha buckle, g. The ontsidecovering is provided with a loop, II, through which the strap G passes,and by which it is held in position. The strap is broadened andshouldered at I-I in such a manner as to prevent it from slippingdownward through the loop H. By means of this device for securing thestrap to the box I am enabled to carry a bundle on the under side of thelatter and at the same time use the remainder ofthe strap for thepurpose ofcarrying the box. The strap may be made long enough to passover the shoulder; or it may be simply of sutlicient length to serve asa bail or handle for the box.

The loop II may be secured to the cover in any preferred manner; but inFig. l I have shown it as formed from the wires H2, which are locatedinside near each end of the cover and pass down and through the bottomthereof, A

2. The combination, with a compartment lunchbox, of a cover providedwith elastic ridges engaging the walls of said compartments, and afastening device for said cover, substantially as described.

3. In a lunch-box, the provision-box consisting of a rectangular casewith re-entrant angles at the corners and a removable box or boxesoccupying the central space in the case within the lines of there-entrant angles.

4. The combination, with a carrying-ease provided near its top withloops on opposite sides of the same to receive a carrying-strap, ofacarrying-strap passing through said loops, provided with enlargementsabove them and adjustably connected beneath the case, substantially asdescribed.

5. Ina lunch-box, the provision-box oonsisting of a rectangular casewith re-entrant angles at the corners, a central removable box or boxesin the ease within the lines of the re-entrant angles, and separateremovable boxes at the sides and ends of the removable box.

6. In a lunch-box, the provision-box eonsisting of a rectangularinclosing-ease with reentrant angles at the corners, and a removable boxor boxes within the same, and retainingbars on the outside of the easediagonally across the re-entrant angles of the same, substantially asdescribed.

In testimony whereof Iaiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

MARTIN C. LOUIS.

Vitnesses:

HARRY L. WINCHELL, CLAUDE R. SMITH.

